CSR and Sustainability in FM: Evolving Practices and an Integrated Index

Abstract

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable development (SD) are seen as the two of the main drivers for businesses including the FM profession over the past decade or so. CSR are widely debated with FM as much as in the wider construction and built environment. Stakeholder groups such as shareholders, media and community groups are increasingly demanding transparency in organization management and are inclined to criticize unethical practices particularly those that lead to environmental problems as well as social issues such as ethical purchasing and rights of employees. Various FM organization are embracing the challenges of CSR as well as sustainability practices. It seems there are different practices when it comes to the implementation of those two concepts, CSR and Sustainability. Managed proactively, a sustainable FM service can reduce costs and provide long term value. However, there is still wide debate around the concept of CSR with a focus on social issues mainly while there is lack of suitable indices for establishing the performance of organization in terms of sustainability in FM practices. An integrative index is proposed bridging the gap between CSR and sustainable practices. Developed as a framework, this index will provide a framework for objective assessment for FM providers in order to raise the performance and delivery of sustainability by showcasing achievement, highlighting excellence and sharing best practices, and openly. Such an integrative FM focused index will contribute to stimulate a positive change within the sector, through both internal performance as well as external perception and image branding.